Economy

Alfad Halimov and Elmira Halimova open the Irpin Cafe, the cafe on wheels they run in Uzhhorod. The couple arrived in western Ukraine in late February 2022, the last stop of a journey that began in the heart of Central Asia and took them to Sevastopol, in now Russia-occupied Crimea, and then to Irpin. As Russian forces occupied the town in the outskirts of Kyiv, they packed their life up again and moved west.
Alfad Halimov and Elmira Halimova open the Irpin Cafe, the cafe on wheels they run in Uzhhorod. The couple arrived in western Ukraine in late February 2022, the last stop of a journey that began in the heart of Central Asia and took them to Sevastopol, in now Russia-occupied Crimea, and then to Irpin. As Russian forces occupied the town in the outskirts of Kyiv, they packed their life up again and moved west. © Romaniia Gorbach

Crimean Tatars: a Life on the Move

A café on wheels in Uzhhorod encapsulates a story of deportation and resilience.

17 Mar 23
Soledar, the town in Ukraine’s eastern region of Donetsk, is home to Europe’s largest salt deposits: a vast, cavernous network of underground tunnels extending for about 200 kilometres. Such is the scale of the mines that geologists claim that less than five per cent of the seam has been removed since industrial mining began in 1881. Explored reserves amount to about five billion tonnes.
Soledar, the town in Ukraine’s eastern region of Donetsk, is home to Europe’s largest salt deposits: a vast, cavernous network of underground tunnels extending for about 200 kilometres. Such is the scale of the mines that geologists claim that less than five per cent of the seam has been removed since industrial mining began in 1881. Explored reserves amount to about five billion tonnes. © Artemsil

Ukraine: The Battle for Soledar’s Salt Mines 

Russians took control of the symbolic town with commercial as well as strategic purposes in mind.

9 Mar 23
An engineer working on an aircraft engine at Motor Sich, a leading engine-maker in Ukraine. On November 7, 2022, Ukrainian authorities invoked wartime laws to take control of stakes in Motor Sich and four other strategic companies from some of the country's wealthiest individuals. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the decision was taken to help meet the defence sector's urgent needs amid Russia's invasion.
An engineer working on an aircraft engine at Motor Sich, a leading engine-maker in Ukraine. On November 7, 2022, Ukrainian authorities invoked wartime laws to take control of stakes in Motor Sich and four other strategic companies from some of the country's wealthiest individuals. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the decision was taken to help meet the defence sector's urgent needs amid Russia's invasion. © Motor Sich

State Becomes Main Player in Ukrainian Economy

The war has pushed the national share in the GDP to a record 78 per cent, while excluding oligarchs.

22 Dec 22
On July 11 Ukraine's wealthiest man, Rinat Akhmatov, announced he would exit his media business. The media holding includes Ukraina and Ukraina 24 TV channels, which before the full-scale war were among the most-watched channels in the country. By doing so, Akhmetov seeks to escape being officially classified as an oligarch in Ukraine.
On July 11 Ukraine's wealthiest man, Rinat Akhmatov, announced he would exit his media business. The media holding includes Ukraina and Ukraina 24 TV channels, which before the full-scale war were among the most-watched channels in the country. By doing so, Akhmetov seeks to escape being officially classified as an oligarch in Ukraine.

Why Ukraine’s Steel Tycoon Closed His Media Empire

Last year’s oligarch law allowed the country’s wealthiest man to discard an unprofitable business without hurting his reputation.

11 Aug 22
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